Rahul Gandhi in Amethi: If Modi can’t help youth and farmers, he should say so; Cong will do it in 6 months

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has failed to provide jobs and secure farm incomes, Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi said on Wednesday, claiming that his party would shore up the economy in six months.

At a farmers meeting in his Lok Sabha constituency of Amethi, Gandhi attacked the prime minister and said the central government had gutted agriculture.

“Modi should not waste India’s time and focus on farmers and youth. If he cannot do it, he should say so; Congress will take over, we will do it in six months,” Gandhi told farmers.

“Modi should not waste India’s time and focus on farmers and youth. If he cannot do it, he should say so; Congress will take over, we will do it in six months,” he told farmers.

“Modi speaks about Make In India and start-ups but does not give jobs. Now, anger is rising.”

Gandhi has sharpened his attack on the government in recent weeks amid growing concerns over economic growth, which slumped to a three-year-low of 5.7% last quarter. The slowdown suggested the underlying momentum in the economy was still weak, posing a challenge to Modi’s government that must produce masses of jobs to absorb a million people entering the workforce every month.

The government has also grappled with a deepening farm crisis that has spread to several states and seen scores of protests, forcing several state governments to announce loan waivers.

In his speech, Gandhi highlighted the Congress’ apparent pro-farmer record and said that an allegedly botched rollout of the Goods and Services Tax had hurt small businesses and shopkeepers.